Short answer
Embrace your design practice as a research methodology to uncover and articulate novel knowledge.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk (2010)
- Method
- Systems-oriented analysis and literature review of design research discourse.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Design research is increasingly centered on 'Research by Design,' which leverages insider perspectives and generative processes within real-world contexts to produce unique, communicable knowledge. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk. Using Systems-oriented analysis and literature review of design research discourse., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Embrace your design practice as a research methodology to uncover and articulate novel knowledge.
Research by Design: A Generative Approach for Novel Knowledge Creation
Design research is increasingly centered on 'Research by Design,' which leverages insider perspectives and generative processes within real-world contexts to produce unique, communicable knowledge.
FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk · 2010
Key Findings
- 01Design research is maturing as a distinct mode of knowledge production.
- 02'Research by Design' is becoming a central approach, emphasizing insider perspectives and generative processes.
- 03Design practice itself can serve as a primary subject and tool for research and knowledge creation.
- 04Composite approaches utilizing multiple perspectives and methods are beneficial.
Application
Design takeaway
Embrace your design practice as a research methodology to uncover and articulate novel knowledge.
How to apply
When undertaking a design project, document the process not just for the final outcome, but as a source of research findings. Reflect on how design decisions and iterations lead to new understandings.
Project actions
- 01Document your design process thoroughly, including reflections and decisions.
- 02Consider how your design choices generate new knowledge or insights.
- 03Explore different ways to communicate the knowledge gained from your design practice.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Emphasizes the unique contribution of design practice to knowledge.
- +Promotes a generative and iterative approach to research.
Limitations
It can be challenging to rigorously document and communicate the knowledge gained from practice in a way that is understandable to those outside the design field.
Reliability & validity
Reliability in Research by Design can be challenging due to its context-specific and iterative nature. Validity is often assessed through the communicability and utility of the generated knowledge within its relevant domain.
Think critically
How can the subjective nature of 'insider perspectives' in Research by Design be balanced with the need for objective and communicable knowledge?
Design Principles
"Knowledge is generated through active engagement and iterative creation within practice."
This approach acknowledges that the act of designing itself is a powerful method for generating new insights and knowledge. By embedding research within the design process, practitioners can uncover solutions and understandings that purely observational or theoretical methods might miss.
What This Means for Your Design
Designers can learn new things by doing design, not just by studying it. This is called 'Research by Design'.
How to use in your project
- 1.Frame your design project as a 'Research by Design' endeavor, explaining how your practice generates knowledge.
- 2.Use the concepts of insider perspective and generative approach to justify your methods.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This design project adopts a 'Research by Design' methodology, treating the design process itself as a generative engine for knowledge production. By operating from an insider perspective and engaging in iterative creation within a real-world context, this project aims to uncover communicable knowledge that is intrinsically linked to the practice of design.
Source
FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk
Discussions & Movements in Design Research
journal · 2010
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about research by design: a generative approach for novel knowledge creation?
- Embrace your design practice as a research methodology to uncover and articulate novel knowledge. Evidence: FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk (2010).
- Why does "Research by Design: A Generative Approach for Novel Knowledge Creation" matter for design?
- This approach acknowledges that the act of designing itself is a powerful method for generating new insights and knowledge. By embedding research within the design process, practitioners can uncover solutions and understandings that purely observational or theoretical methods might miss.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Embrace your design practice as a research methodology to uncover and articulate novel knowledge.
- What were the main findings?
- Design research is maturing as a distinct mode of knowledge production.. 'Research by Design' is becoming a central approach, emphasizing insider perspectives and generative processes.. Design practice itself can serve as a primary subject and tool for research and knowledge creation.. Composite approaches utilizing multiple perspectives and methods are beneficial.
- What research method was used?
- Systems-oriented analysis and literature review of design research discourse..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When undertaking a design project, document the process not just for the final outcome, but as a source of research findings. Reflect on how design decisions and iterations lead to new understandings.
- What are the limitations?
- The analysis provides a perspective on the field rather than a complete picture; the focus is on theoretical positioning.